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Do you want to study in Germany, one of Europe’s most developed and culturally diverse countries? If yes, you might be interested in the Friedrich Naumann Foundation Scholarship for International Students.

The Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF) is a German political foundation that promotes liberal values, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. The FNF supports talented and socially engaged students worldwide who share its vision of a free and open society. The FNF scholarship is financial aid and a unique opportunity to join a network of like-minded individuals and participate in various seminars, workshops, and events organized by the foundation.

Summary

• Scholarship Provider: Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF)
• Eligible Applicants: International students from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe
• Host Country: Germany
• Scholarship Worth: Up to 850 euros per month, plus travel expenses, health insurance, and other benefits
• Level and Field of Study: Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD degrees in any field of study, except medicine, dentistry, and veterinary medicine
• How to Apply: Online application through the FNF website
• Countries that can Apply: See the list of eligible countries [here]
• Eligibility Criteria: Academic excellence, social commitment, liberal values, and German language skills
• Scholarship Deadline: April 30 and October 31 each year

Scholarship Provider

The Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF) is one of Germany’s oldest and largest political foundations. It was founded in 1958 by Theodor Heuss, the first president of the Federal Republic of Germany, and named after Friedrich Naumann, a liberal politician and theologian. The FNF is affiliated with the Free Democratic Party (FDP), the liberal party in Germany, but operates independently and is not bound by any party program.

The FNF’s mission is to promote freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law in Germany and abroad. The FNF supports civil society organizations, political parties, media outlets, and educational institutions that share its values and goals. The FNF also fosters dialogue and cooperation among liberal actors worldwide, especially in regions where liberalism is threatened or needs development.

One of the main activities of the FNF is to provide scholarships to talented and socially engaged students from Germany and other countries. The FNF scholarship program aims to support the next generation of liberal leaders and thinkers who can contribute to advancing freedom and democracy in their respective fields and societies.

Eligible Applicants

The FNF scholarship program is open to international students from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe who want to pursue a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD degree in Germany. The FNF does not offer scholarships for medicine, dentistry, and veterinary medicine, as these fields require a long-term commitment and a high level of integration into the German health system.

The FNF scholarship program is highly competitive and selective. The FNF looks for applicants who demonstrate the following qualities:

• Academic excellence: Applicants must have outstanding academic achievements and potential in their chosen field. They must also meet the admission requirements of their preferred German university.
• Social commitment: Applicants must show active involvement and leadership in social, political, or civic activities that promote liberal values, such as human rights, democracy, tolerance, diversity, and social justice. They must also have a clear vision of how they want to use their education and skills to make a positive impact in their home country and beyond.
• Liberal values: Applicants must share the FNF’s vision of a free and open society based on individual rights and responsibilities, free markets, and limited government. They must also respect and appreciate the diversity of opinions and cultures within the FNF network and German society.
• German language skills: Applicants must have a good command of German, as most of the FNF’s activities and events are conducted in German. They must also be willing to learn more about German culture, history, and politics.

Host Country

Thanks to its high-quality education, rich culture, and vibrant society, Germany is one of the most popular destinations for international students. Germany offers various academic programs in various fields of study, from engineering and natural sciences to humanities and social sciences. Many of the German universities are among the top-ranked institutions in the world, and some are tuition-free or charge very low fees.

Germany is also a country of diversity and contrasts, where tradition and modernity coexist. Germany has a long and complex history, marked by wars, division, and reunification. Germany is also a leader in innovation, technology, and environmental sustainability. Germany is a founding member of the European Union and a key player in the global arena.

Studying in Germany is not only an academic experience but also a cultural and personal one. International students can enjoy the benefits of living in a safe, stable, and prosperous country while exploring its various regions, landscapes, and attractions. International students can also learn from and interact with people from different backgrounds, perspectives, and lifestyles and broaden their horizons and networks.

Scholarship Worth

The FNF scholarship program offers generous financial and non-financial support to its recipients. The FNF scholarship covers the following expenses and benefits:

• Monthly stipend: The FNF scholarship provides up to 850 euros for Bachelor’s and Master’s students and 1,200 euros for PhD students. The stipend is based on the applicant’s financial need and academic merit and is adjusted according to the cost of living in the German city.
• Travel expenses: The FNF scholarship covers the travel expenses of the scholarship recipients from their home country to Germany and back and the travel expenses for attending the FNF’s seminars and events within Germany and Europe.
• Health insurance: The FNF scholarship covers the health insurance costs of the scholarship recipients in Germany and the costs of any necessary vaccinations and medical examinations before departure.
• Other benefits: The FNF scholarship also offers other benefits to its recipients, such as:
  • A one-time study allowance of 1,500 euros for Bachelor’s and Master’s students and 2,000 euros for PhD students to cover the costs of books, materials, and equipment.
  • A one-time research allowance of 1,250 euros for Master’s students and 2,000 euros for PhD students to cover the costs of fieldwork, data collection, and publication.
  • A family allowance of 276 euros per month for scholarship recipients who are married and/or have children.
  • A monthly rent subsidy of up to 150 euros for scholarship recipients who live in expensive cities or regions in Germany.
  • A language course subsidy of up to 500 euros per semester for scholarship recipients who need to improve their German language skills.
• Non-financial support: The FNF scholarship is more than just financial aid; it is also a unique opportunity to join a network of like-minded individuals and to participate in various seminars, workshops, and events organized by the FNF. The FNF offers the following non-financial support to its scholarship recipients:
  • Academic supervision and mentoring: The FNF assigns an academic supervisor and a mentor to each scholarship recipient, who provide guidance and feedback on their academic progress and personal development. The academic supervisor is a professor or a researcher from the scholarship recipient’s field of study. At the same time, the mentor is a former FNF scholarship recipient or a member of the FNF network.
  • Seminars and workshops: The FNF organizes seminars and workshops throughout the year, covering topics such as liberal philosophy, political economy, human rights, democracy, and civic education. The seminars and workshops are designed to enhance the scholarship recipients’ knowledge and skills and foster dialogue and exchange among them and with other experts and guests.
  • Events and activities: The FNF also organizes various events and activities for its scholarship recipients, such as study trips, cultural visits, social gatherings, and alumni reunions. The events and activities aim to enrich the scholarship recipients’ experience and exposure in Germany and Europe and strengthen their bonds and networks within the FNF community.

Level and Field of Study

The FNF scholarship program is open to international students pursuing a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD degree in Germany. The FNF does not offer scholarships for medicine, dentistry, and veterinary medicine, as these fields require a long-term commitment and a high level of integration into the German health system.

The FNF scholarship program does not restrict the field of study of the applicants as long as it is relevant and related to the FNF’s mission and vision. The FNF welcomes applicants from all disciplines, especially social sciences, humanities, law, economics, and engineering. The FNF also encourages applicants with an interdisciplinary and innovative approach to their research and studies.

The FNF scholarship program does not provide scholarships for language, preparatory, or short-term courses. The FNF scholarship program only supports full-time and regular degree programs at accredited and recognized German universities.

How to Apply

The FNF scholarship program has a two-stage application process: an online application and an interview. The online application is open twice a year, from January 1 to April 30 and from July 1 to October 31. The interview is conducted by the FNF’s regional offices or partner organizations in the applicant’s home country or region.

The online application consists of the following steps and documents: